Record Store Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday of April. It is a day-long celebration of independent record stores: places that used to be the backbone of musical discourse, as well as a weekly destination for new stuff. This year it takes place next Saturday, April 17th at a local independent record store near you. Visit the site for a store finder with participating locations all over the US, and the rest of the world.When I was a kid in my hometown of Westminster, MA I was fortunate enough to have a store right on Main Street called Stop and Cop. I bought nearly all of my 45's there as a little kid, my first of many cassettes (REO Speedwagon's "Hi Infidelity"), and my first import CDs (several by Cocteau Twins) in college. Whenever I had extra money, I'd walk or ride my bike down to the store either alone or with friends, and figure out what favorite songs I could afford, and talk to the owner (the supremely knowledgeable Ray C.) about what he thought was good. Several of my friends worked there during and after high school, so it was a great place to hang out when the owner wasn't around, and talk about music, girls, or where the next party was. And it was conveniently sandwiched between Cumberland Farms and the local pizza place (Mike & T's Pizza, now called Town House of Pizza). Sadly, Stop and Cop is no longer there (r.i.p. 2005), as Ray decided to focus on his eBay store. I can't imagine what my musical exposure would have been like without such a convenient place and friendly atmosphere so close at hand.
Once I was in college, stores such as Nuggets on Commonwealth Ave, Mystery Train in Harvard Square (now in Gloucester), Planet Records in Kenmore Square, and Newbury Comics in several places drew my friends & me in anytime we were on walkabout in the Greater Boston area. To be honest, I loved the big Tower Records on Newbury Street as well (for their selection), but their staff wasn't as knowledgeable (or nearly as friendly) as any of the indies, and I always felt like I had to rush (and was being watched) when I was in there.
As an adult I've always opted to patronize an indie store over a chain when I can. Newbury Comics is still going strong; Bull Moose Music in Portsmouth, NH was a frequent destination during my 6 years on the Seacoast; and anytime I go on vacation, I always seek out the local record store. In fact, last spring Brian, Gavin & I were at Aboveground Records in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard during last year's Record Store Day! There was a festive vibe, tons of people, lots of music chatter, and I walked out with 3 CDs that I got for 99¢ each! Sweet.
So if you have some free time next Saturday, stop in at your local participating independent record store and take advantage of the atmosphere, exclusive promos, live performances by acts both local and national, and other fun stuff, and talk to the educated staff & fellow music-loving customers you run across. Bring the kids!
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